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Mars Volcanoes May Still Erupt

Posted by samzenpus on from the send-joe dept.

Q3vi1 writes "Space. com reports, Images from a European space probe reveal recent glacial deposits and lava flows on Mars that suggest the red planet is more active than many scientists had thought."

3 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. But... by Eric(b0mb)Dennis · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, we have only been closely looking at mars for (in an astronomical sense) a fraction of a second. Just because there hasn't been any evidence of eruption yet doesn't really mean anything.

    Mars does have a molten core, according to JPL. Strikingly similar to both earth, and venus. Interesting stuff, none the less.

    --
    Excuse me, I don't mean to impose, but I am the ocean
  2. Re:Molten core by Eric(b0mb)Dennis · · Score: 5, Informative

    Mars does have a molten core.

    Take a Look

    --
    Excuse me, I don't mean to impose, but I am the ocean
  3. Re:Flat top volcanos. by toxic666 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, they look much like certain lava flows on earth. Here's the URL of a primer on vulcanism with some examples:

    http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/types.html

    Mars igneous rocks are mafic -- rich in iron and magnesium, low in silica and volatiles (e.g. water). Mafic magmas are low viscosity and have a better chance of reaching the surface in a liquid state. Since they are also low in water, they don't explode.

    On earth, we also have big sheets of mafic lava flows -- the Deccan Traps in India, Watchung Mountains in New Jersey, Grand Mesa in Colorado just to name a few.